| Description | Discussion regarding the establishment and maintenance of a new observatory [in Mauritius], and the plan proposed in a report of the council of the Meteorological Society. Stein discusses the opinion of the Meteorological Society in regard to the staff and salaries to be employed, and describes the nature of observations that should be collected and tabulated such as observations taken at sea, constructing wind and storm charts.
Discusses the instruments to be used for observations. The council suggests using photographic self-registering apparatus as recommended by General [Edward] Sabine with the intention of meteorological observations to be read in the usual way. Admiral [Robert] FitzRoy recommended the salaries of the director and assistants should be sufficient enough to encourage them to remain permanently at the observatory. Stein discusses the suggestion to increase the salary of the first assistant in order to employ someone from England. According to Stein the salaries mentioned of the second assistant, draughtsman, and copying clerk are sufficient to employ an ‘intelligent native of India and Mauritius who make good observers’ ‘but are unable to pass the civil service examination’. The salaries of the current assistant observer of the meteorological society described as ‘an intelligent and trustworthy native of Madras [Chennai]’, and the first copying clerk ‘a native of Mauritius’ are discussed.
General [Edward] Sabine and the late Admiral FitzRoy intimated Mr [Charles] Meldrum as the director of the observatory. Once appointed Mr Meldrum has expressed his desire to visit the Kew Observatory and principal observatories on the ‘continent’. Discusses Meldrum’s past experience, office and therefore what his salary should be.
The council recommends that the Director should be given permission to appoint the first assistant from England with the authorisation of the ‘Home authorities’. It is recommended that authority should also be provided to the director to purchase all necessary magnetical instruments and apparatus. Suggestion to instruct the second assistant and copying clerk on the use of the apparatus to ensure observations can continue in the event of illness.
Discussion on the establishment of subsidiary observations at outstations, and daily observations taken at different parts of Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, and in Madagascar. |